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Texas Tech football notebook

By Adam Coleman

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Published: Sunday, September 21, 2008

Updated: Sunday, August 30, 2009

Pack the "Jones"

-Saturday's game against UMass sold out with 53,190 in attendance. It marked the second-consecutive sellout for Texas Tech with 53,383 attending the SMU game last week. It also is the first time since 2001 when the Texas A&M and Oklahoma games sold out on Nov. 3 and 17, respectively.

Non-conference dominance

-The 56-14 win against UMass gave Tech coach Mike Leach a 25-5 record against non-conference opponents, including bowl games.

On a roll

-Tech is on a six-game winning streak dating back to the 2007 season.

Among the greatest

-Tech running back Shannon Woods moved into 10th place on the school's career scoring list after scoring three touchdowns against UMass. He has 33 career touchdowns for 198 points.

Always remember your first

-Tech freshman receiver Tramain Swindall hauled in his first career touchdown with a 17-yard reception that gave the Red Raiders a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.

It's been a long time

-UMass defensive back Brian Eliis' fumble recovery returned for a 53-yard touchdown marked the first time a fumble recovery was returned against Tech since Shawn Price did it for N.C. State in 2002.

Secret weapon

-Tech receiver Eric Morris caught his first touchdown reception of the game with a 12-yard reception in the first quarter. He had another with a four-yard catch in the second quarter. This is his second game in 2008 scoring multiple touchdowns.

Getting ahead early

-Tech's 42 first half points was the most since 2006 against Southeastern Louisiana.

Captain's pick

-Safety Darcel McBath returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter. He is the first to do so since Antonio Huffman against Oklahoma in 2006.

Closing in

-Graham Harrell is one of seven players in NCAA history to throw more than 100 touchdown passes in a career. He has 101 in his career after throwing four against UMass. Harrell needs 205 passing yards to pass Kliff Kingsbury's school record of 12,429 career passing yards set from 1999-02. Harrell has 12,225 in his career.

Not everything is perfect

-Leach was not pleased with the play of his backup offensive and defensive units. He pointed out inconsistencies with the second-team offense and the second-team defense giving up the late touchdown.

"I'm not real happy with our 2s. Guys sit there with their arms folded and eat ice and think that they should be out there ahead of somebody else. All of a sudden you give them reps - we got about 2/3 of our second offense and 2/3 of our second defense battling really hard and trying to make plays. One-third of them are just wasting time. Going out there and they think all of a sudden it's P.E. football."

Much needed rest

-The Red Raiders had Sunday and today off. They will start the week with film of Kansas State.

One lucky kid

-Matt Williams, a junior education major fram Weatherford, won more than free rent from Lynnwood Townhomes Saturday. His field goal kick at the end of the third quarter not only will leave him worry-free of rent for a full year, but it may have landed him a spot on Tech's roster.

Leach said coaches are always looking for kickers.

"We have a tradition of walk-on kickers rising to the top. (Robert) Treece and (Alex) Trlica both were walk-on kickers that eventually ended up getting to play significantly. We're always looking for guys. We're excited to see what he's got to offer if he's interested."

Leach said he is unsure if he could comment on giving Williams an official tryout, but he hopes to run into him again.

"I don't know if I'm allowed to talk about any of that. The reason I say that is I don't know if he counts as a recruit. He's a student (here)... I hope to see him again."

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